Santa Catalina faces saltwater intrusion, crop loss, and food insecurity as climate change threatens island livelihoods
The remote island community of Santa Catalina in East Makira Constituency is confronting the harsh realities of climate change, as rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and declining agricultural yields threaten livelihoods and food security.
Vice Chairperson of Santa Catalina Ward, Mrs. Margaret Kuata, described the growing challenges her people face, noting that saltwater has begun contaminating freshwater sources, while once-productive gardens are no longer able to sustain families.
She added that limited gardening space has worsened with the island’s growing population, forcing some families to travel to the mainland in Makira or to nearby Santa Anna in search of root crops and other food supplies.
Adding to their concern, Mrs. Kuata shared that the island’s coconut fruits once known for their sweetness have lost their taste, a change residents believe is linked to deteriorating soil conditions and environmental shifts caused by climate change.
The unfolding situation in Santa Catalina underscores the vulnerability of low-lying island communities to climate-related threats. With their freshwater sources, farmlands, and traditional food systems increasingly under strain, residents are calling for urgent assistance and adaptive measures to ensure their survival.
By Lionel Taorao – Freelance Reporter
